Finish last post...and a life lesson

It's perfect for a short tour where you just need a few
things for an overnight stay at a hotel or friend's house. 

You know - one of the things that I've learned is that you have to try new things out in stages so there's as few surprises as possible when you actually put the new items to the test. 

This is my first test of the racks

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Which I still can't get over how massive they are. 
The front one shown above will carry 50# and the rear rack will carry 70# so theoretically I could carry 120# on these racks. 
I'll never do that but 60-70 is possible so it's nice to know they'll handle it. 

Anyway - I was saying this is the first test of all the new stuff. 

Next time I'll go out with my fully loaded Ortlieb rear panniers and a handlebar bag like I'd have for a Credit Card tour, i.e. No Camping Out - just motel to motel. 

Finally, I'll load the Old Bitch up with the Ortlieb front panniers and the waterproof rack bag carrying my tent, sleeping bag and mat. 

Like I said it's best to test things in stages so you can see how the bike handles and how you react to the different feel of it. 

Kinda like life - when you're contemplating a big change or a big purchase, do your research, your recon, take it slow and in stages and check out all the equipment for signs of stress and imminent failure. 

You'll be glad you did!

What? You thought I was kidding?

At the end of the Surfside jetties....

Also taking the opportunity to test this new setup on my 2007 Trek 3700. 

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Love the new Ergon GP2 grips. I've tried my hands in several different positions and the difference is incredible. I was able to cruise comfortably into a 15 mph front quartering wind at 14 - 15 mph which is not that much slower than my road bike. And this setup is much more comfortable.
And speaking of speed, the Cateye Strata Double Wireless bike computer helps keep me on speed and rpms (cadence).

And the Serfas I.C.S. (Infinite Comfort System) Gel Dual Density Seat and Bontrager spring loaded seat post are working perfectly (just as I planned) to keep me comfortable.

And for this first "Equipment Check" ride, I've added my Trek Rack Bag which has small zip out panniers on each side that can be deployed.

It's perfect for a short tour where you just need a few

Rat Killing! Item 3....

New Shoes for the other Red Mule - my Fire Engine Red 2003 F-150.
Stopping at the ONLY place to buy tires in Brazosport. Brazosport Tire of course.
www.brazosporttire.com
See the video on the right for more info.
And they're gonna align the front end too.
So I'm gonna go sit in the AC and read a magazine for 2 hours while they're doing the tire thing - right?
WRONG!
You see Red Mule #1 in the back of Red Mule #2 don't you?

Now you don't cause I'm taking a ride down to and out on the Surfside jetties!

It's called multitasking!

Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!!!!

Even at Home....

I'm Always on the Run!

Taking care of some Honey-Do's....
And Maybe....
A few Honey-Don'ts. 

Just trying to keep Mama happy. 

A New Plan of Adventure that may take up most of the summer.... And Maybe the Rest of my Life...

Is Swimming in my Head. 

Hint - California Dreaming Baby!

Don't be afraid to act on your dreams. 

Fishing on the Surfside Jetties

I live about 12 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and one of my favorite activities is fishing on the Surfside jetties. 

It's a different type of fishing somewhat akin to a combination of boulder hiking, fly fishing and, At times, fishing on a crowded charter boat.

The standard catch is spotted weakfish aka speckled trout. 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynoscion_nebulosus#section_4
 
Went down there with my son, a friend of his and my BIL's friend, Tatyana.

Unfortunately, the trout weren't there and we caught only one. We caught quite a few of the small bait stealing toothed bluefish. 

But the trip was a complete success anyway. 

It was a beautiful day.... We saw porpoises, pelicans and a sea turtle and shared the community and competition of fishing with the many Vietnamese who are always present on the jetties. 

In addition, I got to share the company of a delightful young lady, Tatyana, who had never done this sort of fishing and who was kinda rusty on her general fishing skills.

Well - you know that was right up my alley cause I like fishing and talking about fishing and teaching so I was in Hog Heaven. 

Turns out there wasn't a whole lot of teaching to be done as Tatyana caught on quickly and was baiting her own hook with live shrimp, navigating the slick and dangerous surfaces of the huge pieces of granite that make up the jetties and casting the live shrimp with no weight like a pro. 

She never got hung up, outfished and outdrank my son and his friend and was low maintenance and easy on the eye. 

Here's a few pics of the trip. 

A wagon is the best way to haul all the gear the half a mile out on the jetties. 

Gotta have a 12v battery and aerator to keep the shrimp alive. 

The Vietnamese are the best fishermen in the world IMHO and have the best gear, techniques and equipment for fishing on the jetties and come prepared to stay the day in comfort. 

On the walk out on the jetties, I asked Tatyana if she liked Lenny Kravitz kinda knowing that a 28 year old free spirited Ukrainian chick would like LK and she says "OMG I love Lenny Kravitz! How did you know?"

I just smiled and said "I just knew...."

Guess there's some advantages to being 50.

So on the way home with the truck smelling of fish, shrimp and tobacco and the windows rolled down, Tatyana and I jammed to Lenny singing the lyrics at the top of our lungs....

Like you do when you're young and free-spirited. 

And for a few hours I was....

Thanks Tatyana!

More on the touring build up for my Trek 3700.

Cateye cadence sensor. 

Serfa comfort seat and Bontrager spring loaded seat post

These are really stout racks. 
The folks at Pedal Power in San Marcos (Tamara, James and Drew) really did a great job of getting everything together and in the bike. 
I also had the rear brakes, 11-32 cassette and chain  changed out also. 
Can't wait to try out this setup. 
Oh - and I didn't get the Trek 7300 but I will when I go back. 
Hell - strap a mini-gun on the front rack and a grenade launcher on the back rack and you could go to war with this baby. 

Say hello to my little friend!

Half Mule Half Tank and Armored Personnel Carrier and All Heavy Duty and Bad Ass!

Here's what it looked like before. 

Here's what it looks like now with the massively overbuilt Old Man Mountain Pioneer racks on the front and back. 

Both the front and back racks are supported off extra long skewers running through the hubs. The front rack is braced off the brake bosses. 

Plus the Ergon GP2 handgrips and bar end grips. 

Cateye Strata Double Wireless Bike computer. 

More to come in the next post. 

So - how you doing Wills On Wheels?

I'm doing the best I ever did. 
I'm doing the best I can. 

Had to think about the Trek 7.3 so....

I went and gorged on brisket and homemade sausage at Hays County Bar-B-Que 

While I was at Pedal Power....

I made the mistake of looking at and riding this Trek 7.3. 

It is a hybrid meaning it is the marriage of a fast road bike AND a rugged mountain bike an is very similar to the bike I rented in Germany. 

Oh Boy! Here we go!